How to Set Goals

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How to Set Goals

You cannot achieve a goal, you have never set. Therefore, it is important to think about your goals and commit them to paper or smart phone. The following formula can be used for both work-related and personal goals.

Let us start by writing a work-related goal, answering the following questions in as much detail as possible.

1. In relation to your work life, what goal do you want to achieve? Write a general statement of positive intent.

2. Thinking about the statement above, can you define the statement numerically? Are there any quantities, amounts, times, or percentages that would be applicable to quantify your original statement of the goal?

3. Regarding the goal statement in point 1, please write a more elaborate written description of what your goal is. Be specific.

4. Measurement. What are the key factors of the goal that you could track, in order to note whether you were making progress, or not making progress or going backwards?

5. Achievable. In order to achieve the goal, what skills, knowledge, information or other personal attributes, will you need to develop? Write a list of these skills or personal attributes that you need to develop to achieve the goal.

6. Realistic. What external resources will you need to assemble to achieve your goal? Resources are things such as money, equipment, technology, permissions and help from other people.

7. Time deadline. What is the timeline, associated with this goal? What is the deadline? By when do you want to have achieved this goal.

8. Timeline reality check. Is this time line reasonable? Is it do-able? You must give yourself sufficient time to achieve the goal. Don't be over optimistic. But don't be too generous with your timeline either. Make your timeline "possible but challenging".

Now you have all the information assembled, you can write your plan of action. Write down what you have to do, with whom, by when and how.

Congratulations. You now have a specific goal and a detailed written plan.

You are welcome to use our FREE Goal Setting questionnaire to help you commit your goals to paper.

Goal Setting Training

Goal Setting, Communication and Conflict.

You cannot achieve the goal you failed to set. So the first step to achieving your goal is to set it.
Then you need to communicate the goal to others and you need to handle the inevitable conflicts and problems you will get whenever you try implement your plans. This course will help.

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Further Reading in Goal Setting

• Achievable Goals
  You are defined by your goals and your goals define you. To realise your goals, you need to ensure that they are both achievable as well as realistic. Do you know the difference between achievable and realistic goals?
  Read Article >
• How to Set and Achieve Goals
  Do you have dreams of a better future? How are you going to turn those dreams into reality? If you wish to accomplish anything in life, you must have goals. Successful achievement of your goals is dependant on you having a plan.
  Read Article >
• Goals Need Deadlines
  Beat procrastination by setting yourself a goal. Make sure, however, that the goal is clear and reasonable, as well as being optimistic.
  Read Article >
• How to Make Progress in Your Life
  We all want to get on in life. But how do you go about achieving that success? In order for success to happen, you'll have to make the effort. We take a look at the best ways to make progress in your life.
  Read Article >
• How to Set Specific Goals
  Every successful person sets goals, in aspects of their life they want to succeed in. Once a goal is set, the necessary plans need to be put in place, in order to achieve it. Make the most of your life by setting up specific goals and plans.
  Read Article >

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